Head to the National Mall for fireworks, the Folklife Fest, and more fun
Happy Weekend!
Link up to ideas for ongoing DC fun:
* The Great Indoors
* Swim Spots
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
July 4th Celebrations
Where: Around the area
When: Friday, July 4th!
Admission: Varies by activity
DC is an exciting place to be this time of year, as people from all over come to celebrate Independence Day. And from fireworks on the Mall and concerts at the Capitol to special events at George Washington’s house and the home of the Declaration of Independence to neighborhood parades and ballpark fun, they (and you!) won’t be let down. This post has details on the many ways to celebrate July 4th in DC.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Where: 7th to 12th Streets | National Mall, DC
When: Through July 7, 11am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival is underway, this year themed Youth and the Future of Culture, highlighting the stories, creativity, and aspirations of young people around the globe. See and experience all kinds exhibits, demonstrations, live performances, talks, food, and much more on the National Mall as well as inside the Arts & Industries Building — all for free! Check the schedule of events and the guide for kids and families to help plan your visit.
Momentum Park(our)
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Friday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $5 + museum admission ($7/youth, $10/adults)
The high-energy, limited-time activation is turning part of the museum’s stunning Great Hall into a parkour environment. Learn and try out some parkour moves (with the help of coaches on hand), join special workshops, see performances and demos, and check out immersive projections and photography that spotlight the parkour culture. All ages are welcome — there are elements that everyone, from littles to adults, can enjoy.
Summer FUN
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Free concerts in the fresh air, outdoor swimming, al fresco movies, play time in the water sprays, mini trains & carousels… Activities exclusive to this time of year can be enjoyed all weekend long. Details on all of these seasonal staples and MUCH more can be found in the guide to summer around DC.
Nats All Weekend
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $13
The Nats are playing the Red Sox at home this weekend. Catch a Patriotic Series game on Friday at 11:05am, and regular games on Saturday at 4:o5pm and Sunday at 1:35pm. There’s a Kids Batting Gloves giveaway for young fans on Sunday, plus they can get run the bases after the game.
Duel Reality
Where: Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 2pm & 7:30pm | Sunday, 2pm
Admission: $39-117, $35/age 17 & under (find discount)
Sasha nad I just caught a performance of this show, and we both loved it — it’s the most thrilling version of Romeo and Juliet I’ve ever seen! Full of amazing, athletic, cirque-style feats and beautiful choreography, you’ll see everything from impressive juggling to jaw-dropping seesaw acrobatics to an amazing hula hoop number to an aerial chain routine to wild pole climbs to the most gorgeous trapeze act — and more! The family-friendly show is sure to dazzle the whole crew. Highly recommend!
Kids Workshop: Toucan Mobile
Where: Home Depot locations
When: Saturday, 9am
Admission: Free
Home Depot invites kids to get handy at their monthly workshop. At this session, they can build a Toucan Mobile. All supplies are provided (while they last) and participants can take home their aprons and creations. Register in advance!
Pickle Fest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $13/adult, $11/child & seniors
Great Country is dedicating an entire weekend to celebrating the cucumber in its finest form: PICKLED! Join them for a Pickle Parade, pickle costume contest, family games, a blind pickle taste test, family pickle Bingo (on Sunday), and more pickle fun. Plus, take a wagon ride through the farm fields, visit with friendly goats, and enjoy the 15-acre play area.
Community Day
Where: Capital Jewish Museum |
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Join the Capital Jewish Museum for a Community Day, when the entire museum, including special exhibition LGBTJews in the Federal City, will be free to the public. Learn more about LGBTJews in the Federal City here.
First Saturday
Where: National Gallery of Art | NationalMall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
It’s the NGA’s monthly series that presents activities for all ages the first Saturday of the month. Little ones can enjoy story time, have their faces painted, and play in a space just for them. Everyone can drop in for art making and to browse the pop-up library. And of course, check out the rest of the exhibits while you’re there.
Open Studio: What’s Your Story?
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Drop in to the Hirshhorn’s weekly series this month and enjoy community camp-style crafts inspired by artists on view at the museum. This Saturday, take inspiration from Laurie Anderson, exploring ways to tell stories by using mixed media (combining materials such as paper, paint, and images) to create a visual narrative!
Hula & Kodiak Dance Performances
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1pm & 3pm
Admission: Free
A couple of groups will be performing at the NMAI this weekend… At 1pm, join Hālau I Ka Leo Ola O Nā Mamo (School of the Living Voice of the Descendants), a hula school from the island of Hawaiʻi for a full-length performance. And at 3pm, the Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers from Alaska will perform traditional and new songs and dances.
Jurassic World: Kids Unleashed
Where: Founders Row | Falls Church, VA
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Founders Row is hosting a free dinosaur-themed family event to celebrate the newly launched Paragon Theaters and the release of Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest installment in the iconic franchise. The event promises an afternoon of family-friendly fun, complete with animatronic dinosaurs, face painting, crafts, Paragon ticket giveaways and more!
Red, White, & Blue United
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at
DC United plays Atlanta on Saturday evening, and there will be some Red, White, & Blue promos along with the soccer action. Buy a special Red Ticket and go on the pitch after the match for a unique meet ‘n greet with Christian Benteke. The White Ticket is a The Family Four Pack that includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 waters, 4 chips, and Fruitist blueberries — all for $99. Buy a Blue Ticket and choose between a Cutwater Lime Margarita (adults, obvi) or a Pineapple Nutrl. There will also be post-game firewos for all to enjoy!
The Lightning Thief
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $27
This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
The Frog Prince
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am, 1pm, & 3pm
Admission: $16
This is the story of a prince who is placed under a spell by a wicked witch and can only be restored by the kiss of a beautiful princess. The show is performed using brilliantly crafted marionettes, as well as theatrical lighting and special effects.Recommended for ages 4+.
Les Misérables
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1:30pm & 7:30pm
Tickets: $49-219 (find discount)
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries, 438 cities, and 22 languages, Les Misérables is unquestionably one of the world’s most popular musicals. Recommended for teens and older.
A Wrinkle in Time
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Fri, 12pm | Sat, 2pm & 8pm | Sun, 2pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $69-119 (find discount)
Meg Murry’s father was experimenting with time travel and the fifth dimension when he mysteriously disappeared. Now, Meg, her friend Calvin, and her younger brother Charles Wallace must race to rescue him. Can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space? Join Meg on this epic quest in an adventurous new musical adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery Medal-winning classic novel that will energize your spirit, expand your imagination, and inspire you to believe that love, friendship, and courage can conquer all.
Hikes to Like
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The recommendation to hit the trail is a staple in these round-ups. And it looks like weather should be good for it. Take in pretty scenery, explore local history, or try to spy some wildlife. You can even work in some geocaching! This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to tramp with kids. Some specific recs for right now: Turkey Run Park is a pretty, shady walk along the Potomac; head out to Harpers Ferry for hiking and history; walk in the woods with a leafy canopy at Pohick Bay or Fountainhead Regional Parks; or tramp in the city at Rock Creek Park.
Indoor Options Galore
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If you’d still rather spend time inside, you have plenty of options. This new post pulls together all the KFDC round-ups with ideas for indoor fun. From museums and special programs for kids to play spaces and venues for indoor action to theaters presenting live entertainment and movies to stores where you can shop secondhand, you’ll find loads of ways to stay cool — and sane. 🙂
Free Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free with ticket
The first Sunday of every month is a great opportunity explore the National Museum of Women in the Arts when admission is FREE! Works span the centuries, from the 16th to the present in a variety of mediums, highlighting women artists all over the world. If tickets aren’t available, plan to go another day — the admission fee is worth it! (Or snag them for a future free day.)
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Looking for a last minute camp in DC? Mythik Camps offers a couple of great options, especially if your kid is a Percy Jackson fan — or just a fan of adventure.
* There is still a but of time (through Friday) to enter the giveaway for a chance to win tickets to The Lightning Thief at Adventure Theatre.
* This weekend is a good time for Putt Across America at The Wharf — and there’s a promo going on to be entered into a surprise giveaway with tickets purchase.
* July 4th dining deals at DC restaurants.
* DC’s 16 essential ice cream shops, according to Eater.
* 21 easy-to-declutter things
* Boden has a big sale happening now, and the kids’ sections are fantastic (girls & boys). Their swimwear for women is also particularly great.
* Another really good sale is Dick’s — Stanley water bottles, a portable grill, lots of lawn games and sports gear, and so many great sneakers for everyone.
* New York Times readers picked the top movies of the 21st century.
* Early Prime Day deals to snag now: Tablet for kids (think long road tip); beach chairs; cute coverup; Shark vacuum (over 60% off!); Ring doorbell (we have, and it’s great).
* Love this!
* A nostalgic July 4th parade.
